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Practical No 2-1

The document outlines a practical experiment focused on measuring the true and bulk density of microcrystalline cellulose powder and determining its porosity. It explains the concepts of packing geometry, types of porosity, and various density determination methods, including bulk density, tapped density, and true density using a gas pycnometer. The document also lists the materials and apparatus required for the experiment.

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Randa Omda
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24 views

Practical No 2-1

The document outlines a practical experiment focused on measuring the true and bulk density of microcrystalline cellulose powder and determining its porosity. It explains the concepts of packing geometry, types of porosity, and various density determination methods, including bulk density, tapped density, and true density using a gas pycnometer. The document also lists the materials and apparatus required for the experiment.

Uploaded by

Randa Omda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Practical No.

Density and Porosity

Objectives

To measure the true and bulk density of microcrystalline cellulose powder.

To determine the porosity of this powder.

Introduction

Derived properties of powders

Packing Geometry
The arrangement of particles influences the volume occupied. As a result, bulk density and
subsequently porosity are affected.
When particles are considered to be of uniform size of spheres, then anyone of the
following packing arrangements are possible theoretically.
(1) Closet or rhombohedral packing (26% porosity)
(2) Loosest or cubic packing (48% porosity)
The particles of ordinary powders may have any porosity intermediate between the two
extreme packing arrangements, 26-48 %.
Porosities below 26% are possible in a powder bed with wide size range particles.
Porosities above 48 % are possible, if the particles are irregularly shaped and highly
textured. Such particles arch or bridge within the powder bed through interlocking.
Tightly packed particles are flowable than loosely packed particles.
Porosity (E)
Porosity is a measure of the air spaces or voids in a material. In a powder bed, three types
of air spaces or voids can be distinguished:
1. Open intraparticulate voids: Those within a single particle but open to the external
environment.
2. Closed intraparticulate voids: Those within a single particle but closed to the external
environment.
3. Interparticulate voids: The air spaces between individual particles.
Density (p)
Based on the types of volume defined there are:
bulk density: obtained by dividing mass by the bulk volume. A powder can have many
different bulk densities, depending on the way in which the particles are packed and the
bed porosity.
granular density: density corresponding to granular volume.
true density: the density of the actual solid material.
tap density or compressed bulk density: is the limiting density of a powder attained after
compaction by tapping or vibration following a specified procedure.
DENSITY DETERMINATION METHODS
Bulk Density
Bulk density is determined by measuring the volume of the known mass of powder that has
been passed through a screen into a graduated cylinder.
The bulk density is calculated as M/Vb

Tapped Density
Tapped density is determined by mechanically tapping a graduated cylinder containing a
powder sample.
The mechanical tapping is achieved by raising the cylinder and allowing it to drop under its
own weight.
Devices that rotate the cylinder during tapping may be preferred to minimize any possible
separation of mass during tapping.
True Density
Gas pycnometer
In a gas pycnometer, the volume occupied by a known mass of powder is determined by
measuring the volume of gas displaced by the powder.
Helium is mostly used because it is non-adsorbing and penetrates the smallest pores and
crevices.
The helium pycnometer consists of:
- a sample holder chamber (A)
- a valve (B) through which air from the sample chamber can be removed and replaced by
helium
- a pressure measuring device (C) and
- a movable variable volume piston (D) to read the pressure, which is related to the volume
of the powder.

Experimental

Materials

Microcrystalline cellulose and Acetone solvent

Apparatus:

Spatula, measuring cylinder, paper as funnel, sensitive balance, pycnometer, specific gravity bottle
and glass silica.

Results

Questions

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